“Hillary Clinton’s supposed to be our representative, but who is she representing?” asked Frank Reynoso. “The people, or big business?”
Reynoso was one of about sixty demonstrators this evening at the New School’s 12th street auditorium, where Clinton was speaking to an audience of about three hundred.
The protest, organized by the No Blood for Oil Coalition as well as a coalition of NYU and New School students, was spirited, with the penned-in demonstrators banging drums and wearing paper masks of Clinton’s face proclaiming “SHAME” and “SPINELESS.” One woman wore an elaborate plastic Clinton mask from a local Halloween shop.
Both protestors and passersby expressed concern that the invasion was a distraction from more pressing issues.
“This war is clearly a diversion from the economy,” said Christopher Jones, an economist and passerby, as protestors shouted, “Money for tuition, not for ammunition!”
“They’re fiddling while Rome’s burning, as far as the economy is concerned,” said Jones.
Some New School students were particularly dismayed by their school’s role in the proceedings.
“This school grew out of resistance to fascism. Its founders fled Nazi Germany,” says Colin Walsh. “To turn a place with such altruistic beginnings into a place to launch a war is just disgusting.”
“Bob Kerry, our school president and former senator, just came out in support of the invasion,” said New School undergraduate Carolyn Thompson. “But many students are very opposed. He’s not speaking for us.” Some described the protest as part of a larger effort in recent weeks to impress upon Clinton the perspective of her constituents.
“We had over twenty thousand people in Central Park on Sunday, and people sitting-in in Hillary’s office the day of the vote, yet she goes against how the people feel,” says Nekeisha Alexis-Manmers. “She needs to know not everyone believes in what she believes in.”
Others had a more cynical view of Clinton’s political priorities.
“I’m not surprised Hillary voted for the war,” said writer Fran Liebowitz, watching from a nearby stoop. “The Clintons are in it to win, whatever the winning side is.”
“She just wants to be president,” echoed Jake Marshall, a demonstrator. “She’s not actually thinking of the thousands of lives that will be lost in this war.”
“Fighting fire with fire only leaves ashes on the horizon,” said Marissa Harris, an NYU student.
At about 7:30, Clinton exited the building and walked past the demonstrators to a waiting car. “She waved and smiled, like we were her best friends,” said Zachary. “She has really white teeth.”
Activist David Graeber, watching from across the street, shrugged his shoulders. “It’s not like any of us imagined she had principles, anyway,” he said.
